I managed to get Ubuntu installed on my machine and was really chuffed with myself :)

Unfortunately I have no idea how to install new software etc, I know it is something to do with the terminal thing but I have no idea about commands etc.

The main thing I would like to do is to get my wireless USB stick (above) working so I can access the internet. Ubuntu does not automatically recognise it and it seems to have no power, no lights etc.

Does anyone have a dummies guide in how to install software and then install my USB Stick so I can connect to the internet?

My USB Stick is a BELKIN F5D7051.

I really hope someone can help because I want to really get stuck in to this new OS and to learn Linux!

Cheers

October 29th, 2008

pytheas22

Re: Belkin USB Wireless Stick F5D7051

Please open a terminal (Applications>Accessories>Terminal), run the following commands and post the output here:

Code:

lsusb
lshw -C Network

(to copy terminal text, highlight it, right-click and select 'copy')

That will help to figure out how to get your card working. Installing hardware drivers in Ubuntu is actually sort of a specialized process (and one that you usually don't need to worry about, as the Linux kernel comes with drivers built in for most hardware, although your wireless card is an exception). But for normal software, you usually install using Synaptic or Add/Remove Programs; take a look here for more information. But again, you won't be able to install wireless drivers that way.

October 29th, 2008

Tim Hughes

Re: Belkin USB Wireless Stick F5D7051

Thanks for the speedy reply :)

I am currently at work, so as soon as I am home I will complete the above and post the results here.

Can't wait to get ubuntu working properly... woo hoo!

Once again, thanks very much.

October 30th, 2008

Tim Hughes

Re: Belkin USB Wireless Stick F5D7051

Hey,

Here is the result of the command from the terminal.

I am guessing this lists all devices that are attched to my PC? When I try to run this command with the wireless stick in, nothing happens, take it out and the command works fine!

Not sure what you've tried, but I have Belkin Wireless G USB F5D7050 installed on an old Dell Latitiude CP M233St with xubuntu and a Desktop running ubuntu hardy herron. Responding on Desktop using Belkin F5D7050, v. 3000 with rt73 driver. Install has been the same using ndiswrapper and the Belkin install cd as follows: (This process should also work for your USB)

Unplug adapter before you boot.

Install ndiswrapper through Synaptic.

Open terminal.

Remove the following drivers using these commands:

Code:

sudo modprobe -r rt2500usb
sudo modprobe -r rt73usb

I'm not sure that this actually removes the drivers, but after 3 weeks of farting around with them it made me feel better.

add "blacklist rt2500usb" and "blacklist rt73usb" (Without the quotes) to end of list, save and close.

REBOOT

This is where the guides I was following failed. Blacklist doesn't work until you reboot. If you don't, the wrong driver will be associated.

On your desktop, open "Home" - right click in an open area and create a file - I called mine "Belkin". Insert the install cd. Open and navigate to the driver file under XP. there will be 3 files. Copy all 3 files to the file you created under "Home" by dragging and dropping. The drivers will not load directly from the cd.

Now install the driver you just copied with the following (If the .inf file you copied is not the rt73, replace as appropriate below) :

Code:

sudo ndiswrapper -i /home/(your user name)/Belkin/rt73.inf

Insert the wireless adapter.

Now issue the following commands:

Code:

sudo depmod -a
sudo modprobe ndiswrapper

I think these create the module. Now edit modules to load ndiswrapper when you boot as follows (If you are using Xubuntu, replace gedit with mousepad):

Code:

sudo gedit /etc/modules

Add "ndiswrapper" (without quotes) to the end of the list.

Establish alias with following command:

Code:

sudo ndiswrapper -m

Reboot

Give it a shot.

October 31st, 2008

pytheas22

Re: Belkin USB Wireless Stick F5D7051

Tim Hughes: the instructions in the post above should work if your card has a Ralink rt73 chipset. It's impossible to know for sure which chipset you have, however, without seeing the output of 'lsusb' when your card is plugged in. You say that when you ran that command with the card plugged in, nothing happened? That's really strange. Did it just return you to the command prompt without printing anything out?

Maybe things would work better if you reboot your computer, then plug the wireless card into a USB port that you know works. Then run these commands and post the output:

Code:

lsusb
lshw -C Network
lsmod

Note that the C in 'lshw -C Network' is capitalized (case matters in the Unix world!), and that there's a space between '-C' and 'Network'. When you typed the command before, it didn't print out the information I was looking for because of these problems.

You say that your card is called F5D7051, while james' is F5D7050, so I'd be hesitant to assume that they necessarily both contain the same chipsets.

October 31st, 2008

Tim Hughes

Re: Belkin USB Wireless Stick F5D7051

Right!

I am CONNECTED!!!

I upgraded to 8.10 and this fixed everything. They must have added the driver to the default drivers list.

I can't thank you both enough for all your help.

Here's to a problem fre life with Ubuntu!

November 4th, 2008

Resarcio

Re: Belkin USB Wireless Stick F5D7051

Hi guys, I was wondering if you could help me out a bit? I have the exact same problem as Tim had, only I have Ubuntu 8.10 installed and I still cant get it to work... whenever i try to type

Code:

lsusb

nothing happens, unless I unplug the usb device, then it instanty gives the information about my usb ports... Any clue on how I might get it to recognize my device ?

November 4th, 2008

pytheas22

Re: Belkin USB Wireless Stick F5D7051

Resarcio: so when the device is plugged in and you type 'lsusb' it doesn't mention it anywhere? Have you tried all of your different USB ports? If so, it could be a hardware problem.

If you plug the device in (and keep it in), then immediately run the commands:

So the lsusb only replies when I remove usb device... and yes all my ports work properly, I tested them with a usb key and it found it immediately.. Hope this helps... and thx for the fast reply btw :)